Japanese Domestic Life and GovernmentBy: Alanna Wagy

Marriage and Family CustomsThe traditional form of the Japanese marriage is defined by the word ie:

•Means: embracing not only the structure of the family but the bonds uniting its members, the family assets, and the activities connected with it•As opposed to a Christian world view as individual children of God but member of a family unit.•Most valued are parents and ancestors•The man held unchallengeable authority over the rest of the family while the significance of the woman's role was primarily for giving birth to male offspring.•Was law for hundreds of years, abolished in 1947

Marriage and Family Customs ctd.

Present Day Marriages:

•Women have rights to inheritance, divorce, and the ability to choose a partner themselves•It is still taboo to marry outside of one's own socioeconomic status•Arranged marriages still exist, however the majority or marriages are based on love.•Some Japanese people use professional go-between (or nakado) services to find a partner.•In the 1990's the divorce rate was only 1%

GovernmentThe Japanese Government

•Constitutional Monarchy: the Emperor (Akihito) acts as head of state within the very limiting parameters of the constitution, while the Prime Minister hold the majority of the power•The National Diet of Japan is Japan's Legislature: consists of House of Representatives of Japan and the House of Councillors•The Executive Branch consists of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, and the Ministries•Their system of government runs very similar to ours